Evaporating apparatus.



No. 692,465. Patented Feb. 4, I902.

J. MECREDY.

EVAPORATING APPARATUS.

(Applicatiun filed Oct. 29, 1900.,

3 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

Gil/mes fieoregy, In venfdr Patented Feb. 4, I902.

J. MECREDY.

.EVAPORATING APPARATUS.

(Application filed Oct. 29, 1900.1

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 (No Model.)

Wimesses Patented Feb. 4, 5962.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

J. MECREDV.

PORATING APPARATUS.

(Application filed 0c N0 Model.)

lnvenror times .jz eare 6Z3,

Warren STATES VATENI OFFICE.

JAB/[ES MECREDY, OF LONDON. ENGLAND.

EVAPO RATING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 692,465, dated February 4, 1902.

Application file-d October 29, 1900. bcrial No. 34.690. (No model.)

1'0 all whom, [25 may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES MEOREDY, a subject of Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain, residing at London, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Evaporating Apparatus; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appcrtains to make and use the same.

My invention is an evaporating apparatus adapted for use as a means for desiccating eggs, as disclosed by prior'Letters latent granted to me, although it is to be'understood that the apparatus may be used for treating other substances.

The present invention is an improvement on apparatus of that class which employ a revoluble vessel mounted to turxron a horizontal axis and equipped at each" open end thereof with an inturned flange adapted to retain within the vessel the liquid or seiniliquid substance, such as eggs, which is to be exposed to the desiccating effect of an aircurrent which circulates through the vessel. As heretofore constructed an apparatus of this class contemplated the use of an air-blast pipe having a flared exit in which is arranged a di'stributer-cone adapted to secure an annular air space through which the air is forced, so as to flow through the revoluble vessel. Said vessel is also associated with heating devices in the form of burners ar ranged below the same, which requires the vessel to be made of metal. From practical experiments which I have made with machines of large capacity it is found that a vessel of truly cylindrical form is not well adapted to the needs of an apparatus of this character, because it will not contain a sufficiently large quantity of the substance to be treated; secondly, it is difficult to control the direction of the air current flowing through the revoluble vessel when the air is forced or blown through the same, because the current has atendeney to flow in lines inclined to the plane of the inner surface of the vessel, owing to diminution in the strength of the current, and, thirdly, it is not practical in an apparatus of large capacity to heat the vessel by heat externally applied, because the vessel must be made of metal (which is parts broken away and in section, showing, a'

very costly) and the factory becomes heated to a degree unbearable by the workmen.

One object of the present invention is to provide a novel vessel which is of increased capacity as compared with a (Jylli lrical vessel and is adapted when in use to impart agitation to its semiilnid contents in the direction of the vessels length as well as in a lateral direction, due to the rotation of the vessel, whereby the substance is kept in motion to obviate settling thereof and effect a com-v to be cleansed and inspected with ease and despatch, and to promote the convenience of workn'ien in handling or manipulating the ap paratus.

\Vith these ends in view the invention consists in the novel combination of devices and in the construction and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the drawings hereto annexed, forming part of this specification, Figure l is a plan view of my improved appiiratus, illustrating the rcvoluble vessel shifted to a position at one side of an air-heater and an air-suction apparatus. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section through the apparatus, illustrating the revoluble vessel with the ainheatcr and a suction-fan. Fig. 3 is an end view of the shil'table carriage and the revoluhle vessel mounted thereon, illustrating the position of the stationary distributor-plale within the revoluble'vessel. l ig.l is a detail plan view of the shil'tablc carriage with the revoluble vessel removed. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the airdistributer removed from the rcvoluble vessel. l ig. H is a'delail per: spective view of the support l'or the air-distributor. Fig. 7 is a detail plan view with portion of the vessel, the air-distributor, and the means. for anchoring the latter in place.

The same numerals of reference denote like parts in each of the several figures of the drawings.

In carrying my invention into practice in the construction of an apparatus of large capacity I mount the revoluble treatment vessel on a carriage which is shiftable with respect to the casing of an air-heater and the easing 11 of a suction-fan. The two casings 1O 11 are erected on platforms which are spaced a suitable interval for the carriage to travel between the same, saidcasings being furthermore arranged in elevated positions and in line with each other whereby the carriage may lie substantially in the plane of the plat forms when it is adjusted between .them to support the revoluble vessel in alined and operative relation to the air-heater and the suction-fan. Said vessel may be mounted in any approved way on a suitable construction of carriage, which indicated by the numeral 12, said carriage being equipped with the rollers 13, adapted to travel on the rails constituting the track 14.

The revolub'le vessel 15 is one of the important elements of my apparatus. Said vessel is circular in cross-section and tapers from the middle toward each end, tlrus giving a longitudinal curvature to the vessel and making it resemble the shape of a cask. Said vessel may be constructed of any material; but for economy in the construction of a vessel of large capacity and adapted to the use of desiccating eggs I prefer to build it up of staves, which are bound together bysuitable hoops in a manner familiar to a cooper. Each end of this vessel is open in order that the air may be supplied to one end thereofby the air-heater and to permit the air to escape from the vessel, due to the energy developed by the suction fan. To retain the liquid or semiliquid contents within the cask, the latter is formed, within the open ends thereof, with the flanges 16, which are bounded by the intnrned gutters 17, said partsbeing made of any suitable material and the latter being arranged to catch the liquid as it d rips from the interior surface of the vessel. The air-heater and the suction-fan casing occupy stationary positions with respect to the carriage; but the treatment vessel 15 is designed when in operative position to rotate on a horizontal axis and also to have its end portions engaged so closely with the air-heater and the suctionfan casing as to leave practically no spaces through which the air can leak to an appreciable degree. The close fitting of the revoluble vessel to the air-heaterand the suctionfan casing may be obtained by a variety of constructions; but in the drawings I have represented very simple means, which have been found by practical experience to give satisfactory results. A short tube 18 is attached to the inner or opposing side of the air- 'heater casing, and a similar tube 19 is fastened to the corresponding side of the suc tion-fan casing. These two tubes supportthc coupling-rings 20 21, respectively, each coupling-ring being provided with a suitable-packing 22. The vessel is mounted on the carriage by suitable devices which permit it to rotate on a horizontal longitudinal axis, and although various'devices can be resorted to for sustaining the vessel. in a position wherein it can be rotated from an overhead shaft I have shown one embodiment of means for attaining this end. A drivingshaft 23 is arranged longitudinally of the carriage and mounted in suitable bearing thereon close to the under side of the vessel, said shaft being equipped withthe rolls 2at,that engage directly with said vessel at one side of the center thereof. The idle rolls 26 engage with the opposite side of the vessel near the ends thereof, whereby the vessel rests upon the rolls 24 :26. The shaft 23 is equipped with a gear-wheel 27, that has intermeshing engagement with a gear-pinion 28, the latter being secured on a power-shaft 29, which is journaled on the carriage-frame. Said shaft is also equipped with a pulley 130, over which may be placed abelt leading from a cone-pulley on a line-shaft, (notshown,)said cone-pulley adapted to drive the belt at a rate of speed which may be required for the proper operation of the vessel;

The air-heater casing 10 is arranged on an elevated platform 31, said casing being equipped with a series of multiple coils 32, which are spaced a proper distance apart and are arranged for the air to circulate freely theret-h rough. The casing is also provided at one side with a door 33, adapted to be opened for an attendant to pass into the casing and adjust the anchors or stays for the'air-distributer plate to be hereinafter described. I would have it understood that I do not restrict myself to the particular type of airheater herein shown and described.

The casing 11 of the suction-fan is on a platform 3%, which is preferably in the same horizontal plane as the platform 31, and in this fan-casing is mounted the shaft of a suction fan 35.

The air-distributer which I employ in my apparatus resembles a disk 'orplate, which is supportedin astationary position within the revoluble vessel near the end that is coupled to the air-heater,said distributor plate ordisk being arranged free from contact with the IIO heater vessel, so as to form an annular space between the edge of the disk and the inner surface of the vessel. This distributer-plate is in two sections or members 36 36, which are hinged together at 37 and are provided with handles 38. The hinged construction of "said plate enables the members to be folded or closed by the attendant whenever it is desired to insert the distributor into the vessel or to remove it from the same. The distributer subsequent to its insertion into the intake end of the vessel is opened for the members to occupy alined relation and to fit in a groove' I of the vessel.

thereinto.

season 39 of a seat-rail 40, said seat-rail being fast with a bracket .41, which is secured to the framework of the carriage in a manner to extend into the vessel and clear the flange and gutters 16 17, respectively, at said intake end The members ofthis distributer-plate snugly fill the groove in the seat-rail, so as to be'sustained thereby in an upright posit-ion within the intake end of the revoluble vessel, and to prevent the distribnterplate from falling inward under the pressure of theinflowing current of air created by the rotation of the suclion-fan I employ the anchors 42, which may be connected to the eyes 42 and attached to suitable fasteners arranged within the chamber of the air-heater casing 10, access to which may be attained through the door 33. The diameter of the distributor plate or disk is less than the external diameter of the cask at the intake end, said plate or disk lying within the flange 16 and the gutter, so as to leave a clear space between its edge and the inner-surfaces of the cask, through which space the air is free to flow. It will be understood that the air-heater occupies an operative relation to one end of the revoluble vessel, whereas the suction-f an is disposed in like relation to the other end of said vessel, whereby the suction-f an when in motion creates a suction-current through the air-heater and the revoluble vessel, the air being heated to the proper temperature by contact of the coils with the heater. The distributer-plate deflects the current of air toward the inner surfaces of the vessel, said air-current moving in a path corresponding to the inner surface of the vessel and close to the latter throughout the length thereof. This desirable end is secured by the employment of a suction-fan at one end of the vessel and the distribnter-plate at or near the other end ofsaid vessel, although two or more plates within the revoluble vessel may be employcd.

In operation the carriage is shifted toward one end of the track to make the vessel lie at one side of the alined heater and fan. This is advantageous, because an operator can easily obtain access to the interior of the vessel for the purpose of cleansing the same and also because the treated substance may readily be discharged from the vessel and afresh supply of the substance may be introduced After the vessel shall have been charged with the desired quantity of the substance to be treated thecarriage is moved back to position between the platforms, and the ends of the vessel are engaged with the packed coupling-rings and the heater and the suction-fan, respectively. The belt is now fitted on the pulley 30 to drive the :-:haft 2 3 and rotate the vessel, and atthe same time the suction-fan is started in motion to establish the desired suction-current through the heater and the rotary vessel, the exhausted hot air being-blown directly out of thefactory. The longitudinal curvature of the vessel and file rotation of the vessel on its longitudinal axis have been found to secure a pcculiar and beneficial effect on the semiliquid substance under treatment, because a thin motion of the vessel, it is kept in a state of agitation, which secures the homogeneous admixture of the elements of fresh eggs, which admixture is essential in the desiccation of this particular food product. The agitation of the semiliquid mass prevents settling of the constituent parts of the eggs, keeps the latter in a condition proper for action thereon by the air-current for quite a long time without any attention on the part of the operator, and exposes a large area of the thin film of mixed eggs throughout the whole interior of the vessel. proceeded for a proper length of time-say two or three hours--the suction-fan is arrested and the belt slippcd'off the pulley 30, after which the shiftable carriage and the After the. operation has ZOO vessel are moved to one side, so as to bring the vessel out of alinement with theheater and the fan, thereby exposing the ends of the vessel. As heretofore indicated, the treated contents may be drawn off from-the vessel, the latter may be washed or otherwise cleansed, and a fresh supply of the substance to be treated may be induced-into the vessel before moving the carriage back to its operative position.

Changes within the scope of the appended claims may be made in the formand proportion of some of the parts while. their essential features are retained and the spirit of the invention is embodied. llence I do notde'sire to be limited to the precise form of all'theparts as shown, reserving the right to vary I therefrom.

The homogeneous character of the liquid under treatment is secured partly by the uneven motion of a vessel of the character set forth, which imparts arocking motion to the lluid, and partly to the rotating motion soon red by the rotation of the vessel orcylinder.

Having thus described my'invention, what I claim as new is---- 1. In: a )a-ratus form-*auoratin ordesic-" l an eating eggs, a treatment vessel havingitsactive interior surface substmitially unbroken and curved in the direction of its length, and inturned gutters within the ends of said yes sel and defining the limits of the active curved surface thereof, (:Olllblllud. with means for 1'0: tating the vessel on its axis, whereby a film cross-sectional contour, and inturned gutters defining the limits of said curved active area or surface of the vessel, combined with means for rotating the vessel, whereby a film will be formed throughout the active surface of said vessel and the return movement of the surplusage of material will be downward and toward the center, thereby forming an admixture of the bulk contents due ,to the curvature of the vessel, andmeans for circulating air through the vessel and in paths closely following the contour of the active surface of said vessel, substantially as described.

3. In an evaporating apparatus, the combination of an air-heater; a suction device; a revoluble vessel interposed between and having detachable and operative engagement at its end portions with the air-heater and the suction device; and a wheeled carriage supporting said revoluble vessel and adapted to bodily shift the same transversely with respect to the air-heater and suction device, whereby the vessel may be displaced from its operative position and the end portions thereof exposed to convenient access, as set forth.

4. In an evaporating apparatus, the combination of a revoluble vessel; a shit'table car-' riage on which said vessel is revolubly mounted; and means for inducing a heated current of air therethrough, the inducing means he ing located at the discharge end of the vessel, said carriage being movable transversely of the direction of the air-current; and means for rotating the vessel when in its operative relation to' the air-inducing mechanism, substantially'as and for the purposes described.

5. In an evaporating apparatus, the combination with a vessel, of means for inducing a suction-current therethrough, and a foldable distributer-plate removably supported Within the vessel and arranged for the edges thereof to terminate close to the inner surface of the vessel and therebyform a restricted annular space or opening, substantially as described.

6. In an evaporating apparatus, the combination with an air-heater, and a suction device, of a revoluble vessel situated between the heater and the suction device, a foldablc sectional distributer-plate within said Vessel adjacent to the air-heater, and means for holding said plate in a stationary position, free from engagement with the revoluble vessel, and for locking the sections of said plate in their operative positions, substantially as described.

7. In an evaporating apparatus, the combination of an air-heater, a suction device, a shiftable carriage mounted for transverse movement between the air-heater and said suctiondevice and a revoluble vessel on the carriage, said vessel being shiftable with the carriage into and out of alined relation to the air-heater and the suction device, substantially as described.

8. In an evaporating apparatus, the combination of a shiftable carriage, a revoluble vessel thereon, a distributenplate, and means attached to the carriage for supporting said plate within said vessel, substantially as described.

9. In an evaporating apparatus, an air-distributer consisting of a foldable sectional plate having its members hinged together, combined with a revoluble vessel, and means for sustaining said foldable plate in an operative stationary position relative to said vessel, substantially as described.

10. In an evaporating apparatus, the combination of a carriage, a revoluble vessel thereon, a support attached to the carriage and extending into the vessel, a grooved seatrail on the support, and a distributer-plate fitted to the groove of said seat-rail and mounted within an open end portion of the vessel, substantially as described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

I I JAMES MEOREDY.

\Vitnesses:

II. T. BERNHARD, J. F. DEUFFERVVIEL. 

